León-Pérez, Mariana C.

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    Assessing spatial and temporal changes in seagrass communities using historical aerial photography and satellite data
    (2016) León-Pérez, Mariana C.; Armstrong, Roy A.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; García Sais, Jorge; Gilbes Santaella, Fernando; Hernández López, William J.; Department of Marine Sciences; Rodríguez Solís, Rafael
    Seagrass beds provide a number of important ecosystem services. However, reported cases of seagrass loss have increased, emphasizing the need for assessing seagrass health worldwide. This study provides a high resolution characterization of the seagrass communities and an estimate of long-term changes in seagrass extent at Caja de Muertos Island Nature Reserve in Puerto Rico. For the first part of the study, a benthic habitat map was created using a 2014 WorldView-2 satellite image and by integrating a combination of mapping techniques. A total of 164 sampling sites were used to calibrate and validate the map. For the second part of the study, a satellite image and historical aerial photography from 1950 to 2014 were used to assess spatial and temporal changes in seagrass. Benthic habitats, including seagrass, were mapped with an overall accuracy of 82.76%. The dominant seagrass species were Thalassia testudinum, and Syringodium filiforme, which were mainly located in the West and North of the island. Light availability was not a limiting factor for seagrass colonization at the study area. The time series analysis revealed an overall increase in seagrass extent of 64% over the studied period, contrasting with the worldwide seagrass declining trend. Overall the results of this study provide valuable information for the conservation and management of seagrass habitat in the Reserve.